3rd Class 'Honours' graduate elect seeking advice

DelBoy567

Hi all,

I'll try keep this short as possible.

'Long time stalker, first time poster' seeking advice on the next steps after a debacle final year (10/11) in my Business Studies majoring in Accounting degree.

I decided to run for the national governing body of my voluntary organisation, the largest of its type in the country. I failed in that attempt but successful this year. It was valuable in terms of public speaking, networking and people skills in general.

However, I failed an accounting module during that semester which I put down to a combination of poor time management, fulfilling part-time job commitments which I still hold but ultimately I think the physiological negative effect from the defeat especially with exams within a few weeks. They say you learn more from failures than victories certainly one of them was the importance of good physiological state of mind and good momentum and confidence when approaching challenging tasks or times. I went on to the final semester to pass the exams but in terms of my degree level the writing was firmly on the wall so there wasn't a big incentive to study well.

My confidence in my ability never waned. I achieved 450 points in my Leaving including a 'B' in honours Maths and was border line 2.1 in my first year without much effort.

I did manage to get a voluntary work placement with a small accounting practice whilst keeping my weekend part-time job.

To complete the degree I had to take a link-in module on the one I had failed last Christmas. I passed it and subsequently will be graduating this August.

So basically, given as I outlined above my academic track record is poor. Subsequently, severe confidence problems to apply for trainee accountancy positions. Getting a lot of pressure from family and so on to apply for jobs which I have for some. Got as far to an assessment centre with one because of a referral but not even a reply from others. Looking into signing up to an institute (which is not as straight forward as I thought in terms of picking which one) to show initiative and build up that academic record again.

I feel I want a shot at an opportunity to pursue the exams and relevant experience as accountancy is the language of business and a relatively good opportunity the qualification offers in terms of financial stability and social status.

Should I keep plugging away applying for positions that do not specify for strong academic record? Should I clarify(more detailed than here obviously) my reasons for not achieving my potential degree level in cover letters and/or interviews? Know of any people in similar situation as myself that succeeded in this endeavour?

It is eating my self-esteem and getting tired of the part-time turned full-time job of the erratic hours and the bombarmend of people asking me 'any job yet?'

Thanks to any of those reading this long-winded post! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

The bigger firms receive a lot of applications and have to filter them in some way - degree result is one of those.

Being on the governing body of a national organisation is very impressive - I would highlight it on any CV you submit.

The only thing I would be concerned about would be how you would intend to juggle work, study and this voluntary activity.

Would you consider doing a masters?

d.m.b1990

Do you have full exemptions Cap 1 etc? If not would you consider doing a PDA? I have 2.2 Corp Law degree and am starting Pda in September with the intention of getting a first. If the voluntary organisation is political in nature be cautious when referring to it.

ManwitaPlan

Hey Del boy...sorry to hear about your results.

First of all Id state the obvious...are you sure this is what you want? professional accountancy exams are a killer!!! About 50-60% of people pass all exams at each level and these are some of the best and brightest this country has to offer.

Not trying to put you off but think long and hard about the reasons why you failed accounting and if it is really something you want to do for the rest of your life.

Now assuming you still want to pursue it well then you need to be looking at all possible avenues as you are at a distinct disadvantage.

I would do the following:

1. check institute website and all main job websites for open positions. Apply for eveything. Get your CV professionally checked and really emphasis your involvment in the governing body thing.

I would definitely include a cover letter highlighting your poor results. It seems it was one exam after a stressful / distressing event...that sounds a lot better than just seeing "third" on a cv.

2. Your hit rate on the above will probably be low. If you get interviews make them count. Know why you want the job and be genuinely interested and enthusiastic.

3. Personally I would make an excel spreadhseet of every accounting firm in Dublin (or the country if your willing to travel) including the email format the companies use.

Email the partner in each one saying you are genuinely interested in pursuing a career and your looking for a training vacancy. Keep it short and sweet and ask if it would be ok to ring to discuss. Pushy I know but you have to be a chancer.

Keep a log in excel of the dates of emails, phone calls, who you talked to, potential leads. You need to be very keen and motivated and if you dont go the whole nine yards you have nobody to blame but yourself.

If nothing comes of this, offer to work for free...you'll always look a lot more attractive with a bit of experience.

Best of luck anyway DelBoy...let us know how you get on.

Pauvre Con

ManwitaPlan wrote: »

First of all Id state the obvious...are you sure this is what you want? professional accountancy exams are a killer!!! About 50-60% of people pass all exams at each level and these are some of the best and brightest this country has to offer.

Not trying to put you off but think long and hard about the reasons why you failed accounting and if it is really something you want to do for the rest of your life.

I think these are salient points...

I wouldn't normally recommend it after a degree but how about an accounting technician course? It isn't very difficult but gives a solid qualification that you could point to.

smcgiff

Some very good advice here

Good luck Delboy

DelBoy567

Thanks for the tips so far guys! A lot of food for thought.

I forwarded my transcript to CPA and they said I'd be entitled to 7 exemptions. Is this a red herring? ACCA probably would be round the same given the whole mutual recognition thing and all.

From checking the Chartered website I'd have to do all the CAP1's. However, I'm sure its worth considering. The deadline is Friday the 27th if I wanted a cut off one or two of them. Just to get an idea of the whole process and get the confidence going again.

From reading some of the trolls regarding Chartered VS Certified debate I'm trying to take as much into account. I don't see myself in a small practice 10/15 years time wondering where the next pay check is coming from. I know from work experience and other people is very challenging in this climate.

I'm just weighing up all my options, nothing ruled in or out. It's a big decision.

Pauvre Con

DelBoy567 wrote: »

Thanks for the tips so far guys! A lot of food for thought.

I forwarded my transcript to CPA and they said I'd be entitled to 7 exemptions. Is this a red herring? ACCA probably would be round the same given the whole mutual recognition thing and all.

From checking the Chartered website I'd have to do all the CAP1's. However, I'm sure its worth considering. The deadline is Friday the 27th if I wanted a cut off one or two of them. Just to get an idea of the whole process and get the confidence going again.

From reading some of the trolls regarding Chartered VS Certified debate I'm trying to take as much into account. I don't see myself in a small practice 10/15 years time wondering where the next pay check is coming from. I know from work experience and other people is very challenging in this climate.

I'm just weighing up all my options, nothing ruled in or out. It's a big decision.

Yeah, it's possible the ACCA could offer you 7 exemptions. They're fairly arbitrary about how they're awarded imo - and this could be in your favour. As, someone has already pointed out - they can be pretty tough even for good students...